Being crafty

This person has gotten me into making cards because her's are so darn cute. These are mine. I've still got a long way to go but I love doing it. These are all my ideas, but my mom put them together. She is a great help! I hope the people who get these later will enjoy them.

Introducing the Newest Weldy!

Yeah! God has again answered prayers. I've been praying for this family and little baby for quite a while.

Annabelle Claire Weldy was born on Saturday morning to proud parents and brother, Bradley, Lindsay, and Shep. She is precious already. I pray you guys raise her in the fear and admonition of the Lord and she will be a "gentle and quite spirit".

Love you guys and can't wait to see you 4 in August! :)

Roots of Endurance

This book (which you can buy for 5$ on W and Th at Piper's site) is part of his biographical series about Swans. I read it all this weekend - I think they are his best books. I have one more to go in the series.
This book highlights three men of God: John Newton (the guy who wrote Amazing Grace), Charles Simeon (most wouldn't know who he is), and William Wilberforce (who got slave trade abolished and just got a movie put out about him).
John Newton had a theological backbone of steel - but loved his people, had compassion on his people. I love this one quote of his: (speaking of the darkness Jesus was in on the cross when He cried out to God) "Ah, sin was the cause - my sins- yet I do not hate sin or loathe myself as I ought."
Charles Simeon, was an English pastor in the late 1700s-early 1800s. He persevered through much difficulty in one church for almost half a century. I mean - people wouldn't let others come hear him preach and sit down because they didn't want him to preach. Obviously - it was "standing room only". But, he was also a man of humility and discipline. He described his "maturing in the ministry as a growing downward."
William Wilberforce, the main character in the recent Amazing Grace movie which came out in February, was the last of these men in this book. "The Bible became his best-loved book and he learned stretches by heart." Oh, if our politicians were like that today.

Excellent series - I love it. You learn so much theology (living the Bible) in lives of men like these. Thanks to Pastor Johnny for writing them - and preaching them, you can get most of these on his www as sermons.

Did I mention I love this place!

I went up to St. Aug on Friday. Drove into town and spent a couple of hours at the cross - which is seen from almost anywhere in St. Aug. It is at a catholic shrine and a historical momument. Then I drove out to the beach to meet the family I was babysitting for - then out to the house I got to stay at all weekend. This is a view from the back porch.

Sat was all day beach, read, and hang out with Nena and Kathy time. Nena and I ate lunch and went and played in the water all afternoon. As you can see the weather was perfect. Then Kathy and I went to dinner then I went to babysit.

Sunday was church, then babysitting, then small group in OC. Can't wait to go back again next weekend.

Missing in Church

I read a devo post today from a pastor friend and he hit on what I've been dealing with/reading about in light of being a new member at a local church.
Relationships do construct a worship atmostphere in which to experience God. That is what the local body is for - the Body of Christ in the local church. I've experienced it very easily at the churches I have been a part of in the past - and now it is requiring a little work on my part.
Thanks to churches who make hospitality and relationships happen - and for pastors who help cultivate it within their church bodies.

The Hospitality Commands

I've been thinking about this discipline much lately and I found a cheap book at the Metro Life bookstore this weekend while I was there for the conference. I read it that afternoon at the Deland Public Library and over lunch at Steak N Shake. Don't worry - its not that long
The Hospitality Commands is written by Alexander Strauch who lives and does ministry within his church in CO. This is a book written in 1993, but applicable for every generation, just using different methodologies.
I thought of a few people in my life while reading this book: Rach, the Beelers, and the Robshaws. They are the role models for me in this.
This book talks about the command from Scripture that we are to practice hospitality. It isn't a suggestion.
"We need to show the rich blessings that await all who practice hospitality. We need a fresh vision of hospitality's potential for strengthening our churches and for reaching our neighbors and friends with the gospel."
"A cold, unfriendly church contradicts the gospel message. Yet, unfriendliness stands out as one of the most common criticisms people have of local churches. It doesn't take people long to figure out that there is a churchy love among Christians that ends at the back door of the sanctuary or in the parking lot. It is a superficial, Sunday-morning kind of love that is unwilling to venture beyond the walls of the church building. The home is the ideal place in which to build relationships and closeness."
"Christian hospitality is not a matter of choice, it is not a matter of money, it is not a matter of age, social standing, sex, or personality. Christian hospitality (especially in a church - or for that matter for Christians) is a matter of obedience to God."
"Pursue hospitality: actively pursue it, promote, and aspire to hospitality. We are to think about it, plans for it, prepare for it, pray about it, and seek all opportunities to do it." This must take place not only in our homes - but also in our churches. From the time anyone steps foot in the front door.

This is a phenom book, short and sweet and to the point.

SAKS and OC

The college people from OC hung out on Saturday night in Uptowne Altamonte and then down to SAKS. I love that place. A Whose Line is it Anyway? but clean version! It was hilarious - you'll just have to go! If you come to visit - we'll go there.

This is the main sign

These are all the Kims that went - what a popular name in our group!

Then - what is with all the technology - who knows what we ever did to kill time before digital cameras and cell phones!

We had a blast!

Final Joy Inexpressible

Well, I didn't stay for the faire (musical) but I'm sure it was great. I was there for the morning which was about gratitude and joy. Paul was our extreme model for this in the book of Philippians.

Jenny Detwiler was the speaker all weekend - she was very thorough and prepared. This is a picture of her and then one of Virginia and me - what great hospitality!

Joy Inexpressible Part 3.1

Ok - this is a quicker version of my time in Isaiah 30 last night on a leather couch in the chapel of Metro Church. It really was just one of those times that the Bible opened to it. I was laying down because I was tired but wanted to read something - so that is what it opened to. Isaiah is prophecying to God's nation and most of the time they are in complete rebellion against their God. These books are good for Christians to read. You say, that's a no brainer. But, really. We are called of God to be His children and obey Him and be His friends. Yet, we let sin forfeit us that privilege. Sin and God can not dwell in the same place.
Anyway...
1-3
Ah, stubborn children,” declares the Lord,“who carry out a plan, but not mine,and who make an alliance, [1] but not of my Spirit,that they may add sin to sin;2 who set out to go down to Egypt,without asking for my direction,to take refuge in the protection of Pharaohand to seek shelter in the shadow of Egypt
How often to do I plan to do something without even consulting God - or just rely on human wisdom to go forward with it. I confessed last night that so often I do that - and I prayed that God would use those times I have done that and (can't reverse them) and use them for HIS glory - which HE will do. May I set out in the future to seek the face of God on a situation before doing anything - that goes for everything. I want to seek my shelter in the God (as the psalmists say so many times) not in the provisions of this world or the kingdoms of this world.
7
Egypt's help is worthless and empty;therefore I have called her“Rahab who sits still"
God's help is anything but worthless and empty. It is full, precious, priceless, filling, everything we need.
12-14
Therefore thus says the Holy One of Israel,“Because you despise this word and trust in oppression and perversenessand rely on them,13 therefore this iniquity shall be to youlike a breach in a high wall, bulging out, and about to collapse,whose breaking comes suddenly, in an instant;14 and its breaking is like that of a potter's vesselthat is smashed so ruthlesslythat among its fragments not a shard is foundwith which to take fire from the hearth,or to dip up water out of the cistern.”
Oh Jesus - do not let me despise your Word. Let me love it ever more deeply each day. Let me know your face, your hand, your presence, your Word spoken to me, your Spirit. May I know correction because I know you love me and you correct those whom you call sons and daughters. Break me of my sin and mold me back into something that is precious in your sight.
18
Therefore the Lord waits to be gracious to you, and therefore he exalts himself to show mercy to you. For the Lord is a God of justice; blessed are all those who wait for him.
I'm so glad I am a recepient of God's gracious mercy. The two go hand in hand - grace and mercy. Thank you for both of them.
19-22
For a people shall dwell in Zion, in Jerusalem; you shall weep no more. He will surely be gracious to you at the sound of your cry. As soon as he hears it, he answers you. 20 And though the Lord give you the bread of adversity and the water of affliction, yet your Teacher will not hide himself anymore, but your eyes shall see your Teacher. 21 And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left. 22 Then you will defile your carved idols overlaid with silver and your gold-plated metal images. You will scatter them as unclean things. You will say to them, “Be gone!”
These I claim. I say-so them. Believe these Words of the Lord - cast out Satan from your life.
Lord - continue to work in my life today

Joy Inexpressible Part 3

This afternoon they had carved out some time just for ladies to spend with the WORD. I did just that.
I went in the chapel - along with some other people who were in there, and just read, wanted to take a nap, but didn't.
Ps 16 and Isaiah 30 are the two passages I read. I love Ps 16. Kelly and Kasey will remember it well and I come back to it often. I love the end of it, but I'll start in v 4
The sorrows of those who run after another god shall multiply;their drink offerings of blood I will not pour outor take their names on my lips.
Sorrows are what we get for chasing after other gods - whatever sin it is: pride, bitterness, worry, fear of other people, laziness, gluttony, etc. I could go on - I want joy! I claim JOY! I denounce Satan and His presence in my life that robs me of my God-given, gracious JOY!
Now, going on in ps 16:
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;you hold my lot. The lines have fallen for me in pleasant places;indeed, I have a beautiful inheritance. I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;in the night also my heart instructs me. 8 I have set the Lord always before me;because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken. Therefore my heart is glad, and my whole being rejoices; my flesh also dwells secure. For you will not abandon my soul to Sheol, or let your holy one see corruption. You make known to me the path of life; in your presence there is fullness of joy; at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.
Therefores in Scripture are so important. Even though I love the last couple of verses of this psalm - I have to go back (literally commanded by the very words of Scripture to do so):
"I have set the Lord always before me."
I MUST DO THAT - to have the rest of it. That is the prescript to the rest of the passage!

More on Isaiah 30 probably Sunday night, along with the rest of the conference, thoughts on reformed charasmatic churches, worship, and the last session.

Joy Inexpressible Pt 2

Talking about this morning - the forfeiting of our JOY. How we let sin and bitterness, doubt, fear, worry, anxiety - all these things - rob us of our JOY that is given to us by the Spirit (it is a fruit of the Spirit).
Be honest - it was kinda long because it ran well past lunch time, but it was still good. Then Virginia and I went to Tijuana Flats off Aloma and then to Cold Stone. It was a good afternoon.

Joy Inexpressable Pt 1

Ok - so this is semi-live blogging. I am actually taking notes via pen and paper and not a laptop, but then I can come to my brother's house and relay them to this medium.
From my first impressions of Metro Life Church in Casselberry, I was highly impressed. 3 tote bags to choose from, 24 hour snack room with ghiradelli coffee and syrups, a well-stocked and great bookstore, comfortable seats that weren't hard and air that wasn't too cold.
I sat down by myself and this lady cam up and put her stuff down. She immediately introduced herself to me - Virginia - we talked about a cousin in Chapel Hill that needs a church (so I gave her the Summit's name), books to read, homeschooling, Metro Church, her daughters, all this stuff. I felt right at home. And I just got there. The church was very welcoming and very sincere that visitors (outside of Sov Grace churches) were there. There was about 750 women there.
Vicki Cook is leading worship for us this week - the writer along with her husband of many worship songs. Danny Jones, pastor of Metro, spoke tonight. He spoke on 1 Peter 1.1-9 and then slipped into Ps 103. But, he camped out in Peter's letter. He was a really good preacher, evening identifying well with a room full of estrogen. These were some thoughts:
This is what 1 Peter says:
1. The church (the audience) were elect exiles.
2. This was by the foreknowledge of God.
3. For the obedience to Jesus Christ
4. Grace and Peace of God were to be multiplied to us!
5. Great mercy - leads to regeneration - for a living hope!
6. We have an unfading inheritance
7. The Bible tells us the reality of trials. It doesn't sugarcoat life.
8. Result of trials is to praise, glory, honor at the revelation of Jesus Christ
9. We must rejoice with JOY!
10. This joy is inexpressable (solid/secure)
11. We are to be filled with glory.

BE FREE from things that don't allow you this joy!

They gave out tons of "surprises" to women. Today is going to be great. I look forward to it, and now must get ready so I can "fight with joy" Orlando traffic!

am I drunk?

Do I act like this...I am found in Christ - but do my actions (living in sin) deceive?
119.21
"You rebuke the insolent, accursed ones who wander from your commandments."

Rebuke as a father to a child. That is what the Proverbs tells us God does for those whom He loves. So - we should be grateful for the rebuke of the Lord when we do sin - because He loves us enough to bring us back into a right relationship with Himself.

That is also one of the many purposes of Scripture. Paul tells Timothy that Scripture corrects and rebukes for righteousness. That is also why we should read it and dwell on it and put it into action.

One of the definitions for accursed is presumptious. My big thing right now is being satisfied with God, finding joy (conference this weekend) - where I am, not always wanting more. Am I actually presumptious to think that I deserve even what I have, much less more than what He has been gracious enough to give me.

To err is the same word for drunkenness. To get excited by poison. How often do things of the world excite me, not that I can't enjoy sports or cooking or things, but know the GIVER and the place of those things in life. God is the thing i should be excited about - not these things all the time.

treasuring and doing hard things

"It is through that daily time spent in the Word of God and in prayer that we stay in tune with the will of God and can examine ourselves & turn or make adjustments as needed." This is not mine (as it is in quotes), but found on a pastor's devo site that I read. This was written for another verse in Ps 119, but I read it last night and remembered it this morning as I read:
.11
"I have stored up your Word in my heart, that I might not sin against you."
I remember that verse from memorizing it in early elementary school at LCS. It sticks with you. So, it really has been stored up but have I done the second part.
Stored up is likened to a treasure - what you do with your most precious things - you guard them. you guard them so no one can come in and steal it (like said of Satan in the NT - that he is a thief and has come to steal - john 10.9-10). You guard your daily time in the Word so no one or nothing can take it away from you - you get too busy, get interrupted, kids and your husband start demanding for your time and attention. I have learned I must do mine in the morning right when I wake up, due to the fact that I don't know what else my day is going to hold. i'm given to sin and like to watch tv at night or do other things. Also, of most importance - I can recall what I read during the day so I can work at the second part of this verse.
That I might not sin (err, miss the mark, defile, cause to be impure) against GOD. Not against the world, other Christians, etc (which we do and our sin does effect others and ourselves. But, that is not how we are missing the mark. Our "mark" as called out ones (1 Peter) is to live holy and be holy for HE IS HOLY. That is our only mark. Everything should be done in aim of that mark - the holiness of God - being conformed to His image.
And yes, that is a hard thing

Opening the Bible

This day, would probably be the first day (outside of church) that I have opened my Bible in so long - my actualy black leather bound Bible. Don't worry - I have been reading it - but I usually read it on my laptop - that is so much easier for me because I can toggle back and forth to take notes on here and then flip back and read it - very easy. But, tonight I want to walk through Lamentations - or start doing it, so I actually wanted to open the Bible and my Sailhammer commentary.

First...one of my fave prophets wrote the book: Jeremiah
Lament: a crying out in grief
Time: the Fall or destruction of God's city: Jerusalem
This fall happened because of Israel's disobedience to God's commands - to keep themselves pure before Him and commit no idolatry/adultery. (1.5)

My fave verse from chapter 1: (v 11a)
"All her people (the Jews, God's chosen people) groan (pain) seeking (desiring) bread, They have given their precious things (the things they should desire, God, His rules and commands, relationship) for food, to restore their lives themselves(to try to restore or make peace)."

They thought that they could find for themselves things (other than God) that would satisfy them and bring them life. That is idolatry/adultery. God says, no! Nothing satisfies besides me (ps 73)

30+ years in the making

Well, wonders never cease and miracles still do happen. My Mom finally finished my baby blanket. She got all the pieces done about 3 weeks ago and took it to a friend of my grandmother's to have her quilt it. It looks great. I told Mom just think it only cost you about $2.50 a year!

Guarding and Pacing

So, I'm starting over in Ps 119 today.
"Blessed are those who keep His testimonies...who seek Him with their whole heart." (v 2)

Happy is mostly used as an interjection - sorta like Wow, Really?!, at the beginning of a sentence after a surprising occurrence. May our lives so reflect our state in Jesus that people would see this about us and see something different than the world offers.
First, that we keep - guard. This is not only passive, but it is also active. We often times think of soldiers standing there not letting the enemy in - but they don't just stand there - they are always on the lookout for even the slightest movement in the bushes, the people coming to the gate, the sky, the ground, the horizon. This is what we need to do with our walk with God - we need to be mindful and careful of it - guarding it against too much tv, too much other stuff, too much laziness or gluttony, too much (any) sin that would trample out the wealth of the word in our lives and make us live enslaved to sin and be mastered by it.
But, the if then part...blessed...who seek - who trample and wear down because they stay put for so long. I'm reminded of those good ole day cartoons that show someone pacing and pacing, then time elapses and they are down about 10 feet under the floor because of the steady walking on that piece of floor. That is what we need to do to the Word - stay put there, read it over and over. Praise God we can never wear it down - it is always the same- true and guiding - but we can camp out there for a while - for a long while - may we never get tired of it. God, give passion for your written Word!
His Word is Living and active...

Feminine Appeal

I love this book. I've read it twice in two years. I've heard Carolyn Mahaney speak and she is as real as her books. You need to read this if you haven't - even if you are single like me. We can prepare: whether to be married ourselves or be able to give Scriptural advice to women who may seek our advice for their marriage and/or family.

So...go read it. I won't even give any teasers - it is that good. I could quote the whole book. READ IT.

Lamentations

Tonight while driving my long way home from church - I saw a gorgeous sunset. It was beautiful - and for that reason - I'm glad I have a long way to drive home from church. May there be more sunsets to come.
This morning during worship - God met me again through the songs that were sung. We sang Everlasting God, Here is Our King (I had heard it on Z on my way to church, but then we sang it), and Great is Thy Faithfulness. These were just the songs I needed, so I sat down and flipped open to Lamentations 3. That is where I camped out for a little bit - then I started listening to the sermon (sorry James).
But, I wanted to pour into Lam 3 and see what I got - so here it is (I'll be studying Lam more this week)
This is what I know to be true from reading these verses (22-26):
God's love is based on his character (steadfast love)
His mercies never end
God's faithfulness is great!
God is my portion - my enough. ( I was talking about this one this afternoon, reclaiming it)

This is what I'm commanded to do:
Say - so - (my soul says)
Hope in HIM
Wait for HIM
Seek HIM
Wait quietly for the salvation of the Lord.

What a great few verses. True, wonderful to hear, hard to obey - Spirit help me say-so to obedience.

Saturdays and Men of the Bible

I love Saturdays like this...I just wish I were closer to what I needed to do.
Today is sleeping in (which I did till 9), ate some homemade bread for breakfast (which was good, but I still like the parm/basil better - but definitely not for breakfast!), now I'm spending time in the Word (my last of round 1 through Ps 119) and prayer (as 119.147 says). Then my parents will be gone most of the day so that will give me most of the day here to myself - which will be nice and quiet! I think I'm going to watch Les Miserables for class, bake a coconut sour cream pound cake for church picnic tomorrow night, read, and then go to Cheesecake Factory in Winter Park tonight with some new friends from OC. Should be pretty nice and relaxing.
Anyway, on to the most important thing I do today...
Ps 119.169:
"Let my cry come before you O Lord, give me understanding according to your Word."
This took me a lot of places today, so be ready:
Cry - this can be both in joy and in sorrow. God so wants and desires us to bring Him everything - come near to his very presence (paniym) and bring HIM it all. He wants us to praise Him with joy and exuberance. He wants us to come before Him with pain, sorrow, crying out because we wonder what He is up to when things don't happen just like WE want them to. He desires that. Some Christians think they can only come before God when they are happy. Some others only look to Him when things are going wrong. Some don't come before Him at all. Let us praise, cry, lament (like many of the psalms), bring tears, claps, yips, yells, hollers, reverence - all that before the Holy God.
I looked up the word understanding here and it was the one for discernment and distinguishing, set apart. I don't know too many people who have this, but I heard it described of someone recently. So, I wanted to know more about it - looked up some of the people Scripture said had this "gift": Joseph, David, Eli, Zechariah - look at even that short list. I want to be like these people: Do you know how they had it - given by the Spirit by them hanging out in the presence (paniym from earlier) of Jehovah. They of course didn't have a little leather bound Bible with words written in red, but they sought the presence of the Lord - to lead, to kill lions, to run from temptation, to prophecy, to instruct kings, to change lands...what powerful men these were. You will find this interesting...

I guarantee they cried before the Lord: like Joseph in the pit, him running from Potipher's wife, Zechariah prophesying to people who wouldn't listen, David when he was up against Goliath, Joseph when his brothers finally came to him and brought in Benjamin, David in repentance over his sins with Uriah and Bathsheeba - all these times...

Cry, weep, wail, mourn, bring joy! And gain discernment...that is what I need Lord - to basically know that your will is ultimately the best no matter what happens. May I rejoice in that.

Ps 19

"The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul. The testimony of the Lord is sure, making wise the simple. The statutes of the Lord are right, rejoicing the heart. The commandment of the Lord is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. The judgments of the Lord are true & righteous altogether. More to be desired are they than gold, sweeter also than honey."(Psalm 19:7-10; New King James Version)

I remember sitting at Lolley's kitchen table on a Monday night my first full year of seminary. Dr. Nelson made us memorize this passage for our Theology class. I waited until the last minute to cram it in my brain, just to go write it down quickly on a piece of paper. But, God has grown me the last almost 7 years to love HIS WORD MORE (only by grace). I love this passage of Scripture. Even as I sit here thinking today about things in life - this passage is all the more sweet. Thank you Dr. Nelson...I did learn something from your class!

Law...Perfect...Converting the Soul
Testimony...sure...wise the simple
statutes...right...rejoicing the heart
commandment...pure...enlightening the eyes
fear...clean...enduring forever
judgments...true and righteous altogether

I like all of these statements and outcomes, but there are some that hit me more than others. Today is no exception.
The Testimony (what I think is what the Lord says about Himself) is sure (a sure thing, we can bank on it) - and that makes us wise by God's standards, not the world's standards. That will make us be able to make decisions based not on circumstance but by the precision and surety of God.
I should find JOY in weeping because I have the RIGHT statutes of God. That should be where I fnd my joy - not in circumstances, or the lack thereof.
Even when our desires are not pure and they are not clean and of God - we know that HIS commandments are pure - and they take the film of sin away - and enlighten us to truly living by the Spirit.

Now...just to live by that.

shalom in the world

Back on track this morning with Ps 119. I've done some word studies this week, one of which you read yesterday. The other one was meekness - how we look at that very differently from the world's view than we do as we should by looking at it from the viewpoint of Scripture. Remember - ALL Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for (naming just one) correction! And, oh, I need it often unfortunately - grace is so evident in my life. How's that to start a Friday?...
Anyway, I digress... (and Abraham Piper told me how to write a blog yesterday)...
Ps 119.165
"Great peace have those who love your law, nothing can make them stumble."

Not just peace - which is a good thing - but abundant, exceeding, peace. Peace in every situation. I think this comes because we aren't living for the situation - we are living for the glory of God. Our hopes, joys, future isn't wrapped up in the outcome of each situations - but in knowing that no matter what the situation or outcome God is going to get the greater glory. That is where peace "in the situation" comes from.

Peace - shalom. Completeness or contentment. Again, am I content and complete in knowing that in situation God is going to so act for Himself to get the greatest glory. Let me not be content with how I want a situation to turn out - but let it be the focus of the glory of God - for His renown.

Enticement to sin...I think over to james 1 in the NT where he says that:

James 1.13-15 "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man: But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death."

I believe wholeheartedly in the guidance of the whole Word. I learned (mostly in seminary) that the WORD is sufficient and when read in the guidance of the Holy Spirit will not lead you astray - it will not cause you to sin or cause you harm (in the flesh living). This is not a formula and it is not part of the prosperity gospel, but it is true. For God's greatest glory...

Consumed

This topic came up on Sunday during one of the worship songs we did at church - I don't even remember what it was right now, but there was that word "consuming" or "consumed". What is it? My pastor even noticed that I didn't take any sermon notes that day - but I took music notes. (and no, it wasn't Third Day's Consuming Fire, although that is a great song)

1. What would it look like to live Dt 4.23-24 24/7?
2. What does it mean for God to be a jealous God?
3. How do I live "consumed"?

So, I went to the back of my ESV Bible and looked at other Scriptures that talk about consumed...

Ex 15.7 - "In the greatness of your majesty you overthrow your adversaries; you sent out your fury; it consumed them like stubble." - the Majesty of God is consuming. We always ask God to show us His glory, let us see your glory - we would be dead, we would be blind, we would be nothing - his presence is consuming.

Ex 32.10 - "Now therefore let me alone, that my wrath may burn hot against them and I may consume them, in order that I may make a great nation of you." - God wants his people for Himself and He will do anything to make His glory great.

Josh 24.20 - "If you forsake the Lord and serve foreign gods, then He will turn and do you harm and consume you, after having done you good." - This is a good verse to tie in to Dt 4.23-24.

Many other verses, both O and NT say the same things about this. It comes down to this: our God is a jealous God - jealous for His glory, His fame, His renown - He will not let anything compete with it. He wants it out of our lives - the foreign gods that compete with His glory. We are not consumed b/c of the grace of God - the Jesus factor in our lives. All of this - the Jesus factor - was completed for God's glory - that He would get the most fame and renown in all the world for all generations in all people groups.

So, again...what would a totally consumed life look like - "a living sacrifice" (Rom 12)

Now, back to Ps 119 tomorrow! Even as I was reading another blog in follow up to mine the other day - the first thing in the morning, spending time with God - same thing we should do with our checks - God first.

I-4 Travels

This week I thought I would take advantage of the little bit lower gas prices and drive around Florida. Saturday after a leadership conference, I went to Big Tree Park. This is right outside of Orlando. Who would have thought it? Read the sign - it tells you all about it. I thought it was a cool thing to do that most people don't know about.

Today I went to St. Aug for the day to hang out with friends. We went to the Cross in north dtown St. Aug right on the water. It was a tad humid, but breezy and of course - right on the water and wasn't crowded, so that was fun. Then got to hang out with Phyllis and Billy which is always great - did that till I drove home.

On the way home it poured all the way. We desperately need the rain, so it was wonderful. Couple strikes of lightning, but if it thundered I didn't hear it. And I'm getting to believe my sister in law who says that rush hour on I-4 lasts from 3p to 9p. There was traffic the whole way, but much worse going east at night.

Tomorrow is Orlando again to hear about A and T's trip to Africa and eat good steak that Alan grills. Saturday is Winter Park with some friends from church. I haven't been there for like 5 years, so it will be good to go back. Then Sunday is OC again - I live on I-4 now!